Individual telephone switch and lock-out mechanism for interconnecting lines.



No. 69|,22. Patented Jan. I4, I902.

A. K. ANDRIAND & H. HERBSTRITT. INDIVIDUAL TEI .EPHDNE.SWITCH AND LOCK-OUT MECHANISM FOR INTERGONNEGTING LINES.

(Application filed Apr. 19, 1900. Renewed May 1, 190).)

4 Sheets-Sheet I.

(No Model.)

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No. s9|,229. Patented Ian. l4, I902. A. K. ANDRIANO &. H. HEBBSTBITT.

' INDIVIDUAL TELEPHONE SWITCH AND LOCK-OUT MECHANISM FOR INTERGDNNEGTING LI NES.

(Application filed Apr. 19, 1900. Renewed May 1, 1901.)

(No Model.) 4 Shats8heet 2.

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No. 69!,229'. Patented Jan. I4, I902.-

A. K. ANDBIANO & H. HERBSTRITT.

INDIVIDUAL TELEPHONE SWITCH AND LOCK-OUT MECHANISM FDR INTERGDNNEGTING LINES.

(Application filed Apr. 19, 1900. Renewed May 1, 1901.) 4

' 4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

L 1). 1M 1'' 11m WLllll l minesses: D [nUenZm-ts: (76 iwzzwiwgdow No. 69!,229. Patented lah. l4, I902.

' A. K. ANDRIANO & H. HERBSTBITT.

, INDIVIDUAL TELEPHONE SWI'I'CI-I AND LUCK-OUT MECHANISM FOR INTERCONNEGTING LINES.

(A'pplicationfllad Apr. 19, 1900. Renewed May 1, 1901.)

.m: NORRIS eirrzns 00., PgmTuu-mo" WASHINGTON, a. c.

UNITED STATES I PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT K. ANDRIANO AND HERMANN HERBSTRITT, OF SAN FRANCISCO,

CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNORS TO THE AUTOMATIC INTERCONNECTING TELE- PHONE COMPANY, OF SAN FRANCIS 0, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA.

INDIVIDUAL TELEPHONE SWITCH AND LOCK-OUT MECHANISM FOR INTERCONNECTING LINES.

SPECIFZCATICN forming part of Letters Patent N o. 691 ,229, dated. January 14, 1902.

Application filed April 19, 1900. Renewed May 1, 1901. Serial No. 58,383. (No model.)

To (all whom it may concern-.-

Be itknown that we, ALBERT K. ANDRIANO, a citizen of the United States, and HERMANN HERBSTRITT, a subject of the Emperor of Germany, residing in the city and county of San Francisco and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Individual Telephone Switch and Lock-Out Mechanism for Interconnecting Lines, of which the to following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements made in switch devices of the class or description that are adapted to give individual connection and enable one station to call up and talk with another station without the assistance of a central office and an operator. These improvements consist in switching mechanism of novel construction in which provision is made for locking the movable contact and preventing, it from being moved after the receiver has been taken down for use; also, in novel locking-out means controlling the local circuit at each station and holding the same normally out of the main line,

so that the same cannot get on the line of another station when that station is busy.

The invention includes also certain novel construction and combination of portable switch-stand switching device and lockingoutmechanism,ashereinafterfullydescribed, and pointed out in the claims at the end of this specification.

The object of these improvements is mainly to prevent a person at any station from get- 5 ting on the line and listening to the conversation taking place between two other connected stations. The novel features and the general construction and combination thereof to producean improved portable desk-telephone and switch-stand are explained at length in the following description, in which reference is bad to the accompanying drawings,forming part thereof.

Figure l is an elevation of a desk-telephone embodying our invention and comprising a switch-stand and a support for the receiver and the transmitter. Fig. 2 is an elevation taken from the left-hand side of Fig. 1 with the frame or body of the instrument in section- Fig. 3 is atop View of the switching mechanism located in the base of the stand. Fig. 4. is a top view of the base-block and statiouary contacts, the movable contact, and the mechanism for setting and looking it. Fig. 5 is a top view of the mechanism removed from the base of the switch-stand and telephone-support. Fig. 6 is an elevation of Fig. 5 with the insulating-block, switch-dial, and frame in section. Fig. 7 is an elevation of Fig. 5 with the frame and switch-dial partly broken away to disclose parts inside. Fig. 8 is a top view of the parts pertaining to the switch-locking mechanism, the top plate of the frame being partly broken away. Fig. 9 is an elevation of Fig. 8 with the addition of parts of the locking-out mechanism that are omitted from Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is a detail in perspective of the switch-piece and slide-plate of the locking mechanism. Figs. 11 and 12 are side elevations of the electromagnet-and connected parts of the locking-out mechanism, Fig. 11 representing the position of the parts when the line is looked out, and Fig. 12 showing the parts when the circuit-closing slide is released, by the magnet and the receiving and transmitting local circuit is connected to the line for use. Fig. 13 is a diagrammatic representation of the circuits and connections between three stations.

The switching mechanism at each station contains a plurality of stationary contacts a. a, correspondingin number with the stations in the system, and a movable arm b, carrying a contact through which the local circuit of the receiver and transmitter is connected with another selected station by setting the movable contact to the proper stationary contact of the switch. The arm b of the switch is set to position by means of the settingshaft e, geared into the arm by the spurwheel h on the shaft 2, on which the arm is fixed, and a pinion i, fast on the setting-shaft. The annular dial 0 over the stationary contact is connected rigidly with the shaft 2 by arms a a so as to move uniformly with the arm I) and show by the switching numbers on its face the position of the arm with reference to any selected contact. When the number on the dial corresponding to the required station is exposed to view through the sight-opening in the stand, the arm I) will be in position upon the proper contact in the circle beneath the dial. In that position on the contact the arm b is looked after the receiver is once taken down, and, on the other hand, the arm I) is automatically released and set back to the home contact as soon as the receiver is hung up again. The parts of the locking. mechanism by which these two operations are effected by taking down and hanging up the receiver are shown in Figs. '7, 8, and 9.

A dog n, pivoted at s and held against the teeth of the spur-gear h by a spring 18, pre vents that wheel from turning in either direction, and asecond dog 9, engaging the teeth of the gear, acts as a pawl to hold the gear from turning under the reaction of the coiled spring *m, that will throw the contact-arm I) back to the starting-point when the dogp is set clear of the gear. The spring 18 brings the two dogs into action against the gear. Loosely mounted on pivots 6 6 is a switchpiece 7, having two oppositely divergent arms extending over the dogs at p and behind stoppins 11 12 on the dogs and having also a third arm or rod 10 midway between the arms extending at right angles from the body of the switch-piece and into an inclined slot 16 in a'slide-plate 15. That plate Working in an opening in the top plate e takes the arm 10 beneath and is a part or member of a perpendicularly-movable plate 14, herein termed the slide-plate, by the rectilinear movements of which toward and away from the top plate 12 the part with the inclined slot 16 is caused to rock the switch-piece 7 to the right or to the left. Such movement of the piece 7 in one direction will set one dog away from the gear 9 and allow the other dog to engage the gear. The slide 14, guided in its perpendicular movements by a tubular guide 20, working on a fixed guide-post 21 on the frame, is moved in one direction by the weight of the receiver, which is thrown upon it by means of the telephone-hook 23, pivoted at 24:, Fig. 2, and a push-rod 22, loosely attached to the arm of the hook at 22 and bearing upon the'top end of the tubular guide 20. The weight of the receiver thus thrown upon the piece 14 depresses and holds down thatpart against the force of a coiled spring 70, interposed between the top plate of the frame and the piece 14,

and by the reaction of that spring when the tacts; but in the upward movement of the slideplate 14 under the reaction of the spring the switch-piece 6 will be thrown in the direction represented in Fig. 8 and the lockingdog a will be set into the gear h. In that position theswitch-arm b is locked on whatever contact it is placed before the receiver is taken down. The movement of the switchpiece 7 on hanging up the receiver will take place in the contrary direction, the arm 8 throwing the dog n away from the gear h and allowing the spring m to react on the gear and return the contact-arm b to the startingpoint. A latch 15, working on a pivot 3 and having a shoulder t to engage a stop 12 on the dog p, operates to hold that dog out of the gear it until the contact-arm b has completed its full return movement and reached the home contact of the instrument. That latch is held against the stop by a spring 19 and is thrown away from the stop to release the dog at the proper time by a stop-pin 25 on the gear h. These parts, constituting the switch locking and releasing mechanism, are shown in the details, Figs. 7, 8, 9, and 10.

The lock-out mechanism by which the station is cut off for conversation keeps the receiving and transmitting circuit of the station normallyoif the line by holding open the circuit-closer in the local circuit. It is operated electrically through the main line and the ringing-circuit to, connecting the callingstation with the station called, provided the contact-arm b in the switch of the called station is on its home-contact and the line is not in use. This lock-out mechanism comprises, first, a circuit-closing device in the local circuit, which in the present construc= tion is composed of, first, the' two contactsprings 26 27 in the receiving and transmitting circuit, situated on opposite sides of the slide-plate 14, the contact of which piece in its upward movement of the latter closes the circuit at that point; secondly, an arm 28, carried by and projecting horizontally from the side of the slide-plate 14; thirdly, a looking or holding-down lever 30, and, fourthly, an electromagnet 31 in the main line and the ringing-circuit acting through the movement of its armature to draw back the locking-lever 30 and release the slide-plate. The magnet consists of asingle spool 31, with double windings havingfourwires for connecting the same both into the common talking-line T, that interconnects the stations in the system and also into the common ringing-circuit w, the battery Y of which supplies the current for energizing the magnet. The arm 28, before the pivot of the lever 30 holds that part nor'.

mally away from the magnet. This is the position of the parts when the receiver is on its book; but should the receiver be removed ICC at any time the locking-lever 30, arresting the upward movement of the slide-plate 14, prevents that piece from rising sufficiently to close the circuit at the contacts 26 27, and thus the receiving and transmitting instruments of the station are cut off and will not operate until the circuit between the magnet 31 andthe ringing-battery Y is closed. When that is done by depressing the push-button 34 in the circuit, the lever 30, attracted by the magnet 31, unlocks the slide-plate 14 and allows that part to rise, thereby closing the circuit at 26 27 andtputting the station on the line.

The lock-out mechanism is the same at every station, and as the magnet at the calling-station is energized the corresponding magnet at the called station is brought into action simultaneously, provided the contact-arm b of the called station is on its home contact and there is no connection at the time with another station. With this end in vie,w namely, to render the releasing means of the locking-out lever inoperative should one station be connected with another station-the magnet at each station is connected with or into the common circuit W through connections 52 53 58 and a circuit-closing key 34 and also into the main line or common talkingline T of the system and through the switchcircuit, being normally open at 55 in each instrument in the usual manner and through the contact-springs 26 27 and the circuit-closer composed of the part 14. Then the circuit W is closed by the push-button 34, the battery Y is thrown on the bell at the called station, and the magnets 31 at the two connected stations are energized by the battery-circuit at the same time. This acts on the lever 30 at each station, releases the part 14, and puts both instruments on the line. At the moment of its attraction to the magnet the lever 30 is caught and held out of action by a catch 38, loosely pivoted at 39 and having a notch 40 to engage a pin on the side of the lever. The function of this catch is to prevent 'the lever 30 from returning too quickly to the upright position after the current is cut off from the magnet and before the arm 28 has time to clear the shoulder 33. This catch, projecting in the path of the arm 28, is thrown off by the upward movement of the latter, and the locking-lever 30 is thus free to return to its normal position over the arm 28 to engage that part when the receiver is hung up. This catch 38 is also thrown off and the locking-lever released by another means actuated from the movement of the locking-dog of the gear, so that the locking-out-lever will be released and caused to act with certainty if any attempt is made to move the contactarm b from one point to another in the switchpoints after the locking-lever has been attracted and released before the switch has been allowed to return home again after being once set and before being set again to another number. The catch 38 has a downwardly-bent rear end, to which is loosely attached a draw-rod 41, having a hook 42 on the forward end to engage an arm 43 on the short shaft S that forms the axis S of the dog 19. Bearings 44 are provided for this shaft S in the frame Q; to, and the arm 43 is fast on the upper end, so as to lie closely to the top plate V and engage the hook of the draw-rod 41 in the outward sweep of the arm.

In the operation of this lock-out mechanism the part 14 is normally locked or held down in such a manner that when the receiver is taken ofi the circuit will not be closed through 27 28 unless the current can be thrown on the releasing-magnets of both stations to throw off the look. In using the switching mechanism it is necessary to switch to the required station before taking the receiver from the hook, and when the receiver is taken from the hook the switching mechanism is automatically locked and the switch can be moved neither back ward nor forward while the receiver is off. In order to unlock the circuit-closer, so that the receiver and transmitter may be used, it is necessary, first, to switch onto the line desired. If the instrument to be called is not in use and therefore is on the ringing-circuit, the same current that rings the bell when the button 34 is pushed will energize the magnet at each instrument, thereby releasing the parts 14, and allowit to rise to the contact-springs 27 28. In case the station called is already connected with another station the current from battery Y will not pass, for the reason that the instrument at the calling-station will not be on the ringing-circuit W, and consequently the armatures of the two locking-out magnets Will not be attracted and caused to release the slides 14. Should a party at one station attempt to switch onto another station before taking the receiver from its hook, the part 14 will be caught by the lever 30 and prevented from rising high enough to touch the contactsprings of the talking-circuit when' the receiveris removed,because the releasing mechanism of the catch 38 is brought into action the instant an attempt is made to move the switch-arm b, and afterward when the receiver is taken down to listen the circuit-closing part 14 will not rise and close the talkingcircuit at'the contacts. At such time the switch-arm'will be locked on the. station to which it was set and cannot be returned to homestation or moved in either direction until the receiver is replaced, when the slide 14 is again depressed by the weight of the receiver acting on the hook and the switchlocking mechanism is released. As the slide 14 is allowed to rise part way before it is locked and held away from the contacts by the lever 30 at such time, a sufficient extent of movement in the opposite direction when the receiver is hung up is provided for, that the locking device of the switch-arm shall be properly operated by the downward movement of the slide under the weight of the hook. Some means, such as a catch 38, to hold back the locking-lever 80 is found necessary, because a party otherwise would be compelled to hold down the push-button until the receivers at both connected stations are removed from the hooks. Otherwise, the locking-lever being released as soon as the current is cut off from the magnet, the slides 14 would be relocked before they could rise the whole distance to close the talking-circuit.

Having thus fully described our invention, what we claim as new therein, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A switching mechanism for telephones comprising a plurality of stationary line-con tacts, a movable contact adapted to be set in operative relation to a selected one of the I line-contacts, a spring to return said movable contact to its normal position, a detent to hold the movable contact in position against the reactive force of the spring, and a locking device controlled by the telephone-hook and operating to prevent the movable contact from being moved off the selected line-contact after the receiver is removed from the hook.

2. In aswitching mechanism for telephones, the combination with a plurality of line-contacts and a movable contact adapted to conmeet the subscribers talkin e ;-circuit with a given line through the selected lino-contact; of a locking device controlling the movable contact and itself actuated by the telephone book to lock the movable contact when the receiver is removed from the hook and to prevent the movable contact from being moved out of position until the receiver is replaced on its hook.

3. The combination, with a telephone switching mechanism having a plurality of stationary contacts and a movable contact; of a locking device adapted to lock the movable contact and prevent it from being moved in either direction after the receiver is removed from the telephone-hook, and to re lease the movable contact when the receiver is replaced.

4. In combination, a plurality of line-contacts, a movable contact connecting the subscribers talking-circuit with a selected one of the line-contacts, a spring to restore the movable contact to position, a detent to hold the movable contact against the reactive force of the spring, a locking device operating when brought into action to prevent the movable contact from being moved off the line to which it has been switched and means controlled by the telephone-hook to throw the locking device into or out of operation by the act of taking down or of hanging up the receiver.

5. In combination, a local talking-circuit, a circuit-closer controlling the connection thereotwith a common talking-line, means for holding out of action said circuit-closer, an electromagnet in circuit with a battery,means operated by said magnet to throw the circuitcloser into action, and a circuit-closer in the battery-circuit adapted to release the holding-out means'of the circuit-closer in the talking circuit by closing the batterycircuit through the magnet and through the common talking line between two connected telephones.

6. In a telephone system, the combination in and with a plurality of stations, of a common talking-line, a common ringing-circuit including a battery and a signal at each station, individual receiving and transmitting circuits connectible with the common talkingline through a circuit-closer and switching mechanism at the station, a lock-out device controlling said circuit-closer at each station and normally holding the same out of action, an electromagnet connected with the common ringing-circuit through the talking-line and adapted to be energized when the talking-line is closed between one station and the other through the switch and the ringing-circuit is closed at either station, and means whereby the magnets in both connected stations are caused when energized from either station to throw off the locking devices in both stations and release the circuit-closers in the talkingcircuit.

7. In a lock-out mechanism for telephone systems the combination of a common talking-line, an individual receiving and transmitting instrument in a local circuit connectible through a switch and a home contact with a plurality of similar stations, a circuitclosing device in the local circuit, a locking device holding said circuit normally open, a battery and an electromagnet in circuit therewith through acircuit-closing key and with the common talking-line between the stations through the individual home contact of .each station, means operated by the magnet when the circuit is closed between two connected stations to actuate the locking device and release the circuit-closer controlled by it, a catch holding the locking device in operative position when the battery is taken off the magnet, and means releasing the catch by the act of hanging up the receiver.

8. In a lock-out mechanism for telephone systems, a circuit-closing device at each station controlling the connection between the local receiving and transmitting circuit and a common talking-line, a switch adapted to give connection at each station with any selected station of the system, a locking-lever adapted to hold the circuit normally open, an electromagnet having connection with a common signaling-circuit including a battery by which all the stations comprising thesystem are interconnected, said magnet being adapted when energized to throw off the lockinglever, a push-button at each station for closing the battery from that station upon the magnet of a connected station through the switch of that station, a catch adapted to hold the locking-lever out of action, and'a releasingdevice operative under the movements of the local switch to throw oi? the catch when to release the same at the stations connected through the common talking-line when the signaling-circuit is closed at either of the connected stations and to isolate the circuitclosers of all the remaining stations from the common talking-line when two connected stations are using the line. i

In testimony that we claim the foregoing we have hereunto set our hands and seals.

ALBERT K. ANDRIANO. [In S.] HERMANN HERBSTRITT. [L. s] Witnesses:

W. T. HESS,

EDWARD E. OSBORN. 

